Pirates’ entire coaching staff set to return for 2018 season

The Pittsburgh Pirates today Thursday that manager Clint Hurdle’s coaching staff has been extended contracts through the 2019 season.

Pitching coach Ray Searage just completed his seventh full season in that role with the Pirates; he was the interim pitching coach for the last two months of the 2010 season. The 2017 season marked Searage’s 40th in professional baseball and his 15th with the Pirates organization.

Tom Prince will return for his second season as the bench coach in 2018. Prince has spent 34 seasons in professional baseball and 24 with the Pittsburgh organization.

Joey Cora will return for his second season as the third base coach in 2018, in addition to serving as the club’s infield coach. He also spent eight years as a coach with the Chicago White Sox (2004-2011) and one season with the Miami Marlins (2012). Cora spent the 2016 season as the manager at Altoona.

Kimera Bartee will return for his second season as the club’s first base coach and outfield/baserunning instructor in 2018. Bartee has been with the organization since 2008.

The 2018 season will mark Jeff Branson’s fifth as Pittsburgh’s hitting coach. Branson just completed his 15th season with the organization and his 28th in professional baseball.

Dave Jauss will be returning in 2018 for this sixth season as a coach on the Major League staff.

Having just completed his 15th season with the Pittsburgh organization, Jeff Livesey will once again serve as the assistant hitting coach in 2018 and 2019.

Euclides Rojas has been Pittsburgh’s bullpen coach since 2011. He has been with the organization for a total of 14 years.